I started at 11 years old, playing the trumpet, then I moved to the electric bass at 13. Formerly I am a self-taught musician, rooted in rhythm and blues and progressive rock bands.
I recorded my first album in 1973 (Dedalus, Trident records) then I started with the double bass.
In 1978 I moved to Rome, where I began to play with tenor saxophonist Maurizio Giammarco and with altoist Massimo Urbani. In Rome I met Chet Baker. We played together on and off since 1988. In those years I became very active in Milan, playing with Larry Nocella, Luigi Bonafede, Franco d'Andrea and sitting in with such musicians as Walter Davis jr, Jimmy Knepper, Freddie Hubbard, Art Farmer. In february 1981 I entered Enrico Rava's band and, a few months later, the first trio of Michel Petrucciani.
From 1981 until now, I’ve been playing with some of the greatest soloist in the European scene - such as Richard Galliano, Dino Saluzzi, Antonello Salis, Joe Lovano, Charles Lloyd, Steve Lacy, John Surman, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Pharoah Sanders, Michael Brecker, Sal Nistico, Lee Konitz, Joe Henderson, Franco Ambrosetti, Enrico Rava, Kenny Wheeler, Charles Tolliver, Ray Anderson, Muhal Richard Abrams, Michel Grailler, Gordon Beck, Franco d'Andrea, John Taylor, Jon Balke, John Taylor, Paul Bley, Don Friedman, Enrico Pieranunzi, Rita Marcotulli, Jon Balke, Stan Tracey, John Abercrombie, Philip Catherine, Paul Motian, Tony Oxley, Barry Altschul, Daniel Humair, Jon Christensen, Joe La Barbera, Bruce Ditmas, André Ceccarelli.
In 1990 I’ve started to perform in duo with trumpetist Paolo Fresu. Together we recorded over 14 CD and played all over Europe, Middle East, Usa, Argentina, Brazil and China.
Actually I perform in solo and share the leadership of: PAF ( Paolo Fresu and Antonello Salis); WINE AT THE OPERA (with Antonello Salis) WOODEN YOU (Mauro Negri and Andrea Dulbecco); IDEAL STANDARDS (Dado Moroni and Gianluca Petrella); ZAPPING (Ngueyn Le, Eric Vloeimans, Mauro Negri, Rita Marcotulli and Joel Allouche); THE FEELING OF ROCK ( Nguyen Le and Roberto Gatto) and I lead a 25 piece ethno-symphonic orchestra trying to remix the world of Thelonious Monk with the brain of Frank Zappa.
TEACHING:
• Conservatory of Music of Torino - Jazz class – since 1996.
• Siena Summer Jazz Workshops - since 1990.
• Stages at: Newpark school - Dublin, Royal Conservatory - Den Haag , DAMS - Bologna, Accademia Chigiana – Siena Conservatories of Music of Mantova, Sassari, Parma.
RECORDINGS:
As a leader or co-leader he recorded 18 album albums (Things, Solo, Opale, Unknown Voyage, Evening Song, What color for a tale, Urlo, Contos, Chaos, Mythscapes, Scalabrun, Hands, Paf, Wooden You, Fellini, L’esigenza di andare verso il basso, Zapping)
As a sideman he recorded more than 100 albums with various artists including: Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Bley, Michel Petrucciani, John Taylor, Aldo Romano.
You can find more at my web site:
www.furiodicastri.com